Alarm in the outdoor pool: Smartphone use endangers children!

Alarm in the outdoor pool: Smartphone use endangers children!

Osnabrück, Deutschland - What about the outdoor pool? The joy is particularly great in the bathing season, but security is becoming increasingly concern. Many parents are busy with their smartphones and do not adequately look at their children. This ensures heated discussions in the swimming master community. The President of the Federal Association of German Swimming Master, Peter Harzheim, does not leave good hair in the behavior of the parents. He describes this distraction as "the plague" and urgently warns of the consequences that result from this inattentiveness.

The German Life Rettungs Society (DLRG) has published alarming statistics. In 2024, 411 people died in bathing accidents in Germany - that is 31 more than in the previous year. There were 14 children under the age of ten among the victims. These terrifying numbers are not inconsiderable in connection with smartphone use under supervisory. "Our goal is to protect children. But when parents are distracted, this becomes a problem," says Harzheim.

attention requested

The acid and end -all of the water is attention. Harzheim therefore demands more commitment from parents who should pay more attention to their offspring during bathing. "Swimming masters are not the watchdogs for the children, but have an eye on the safety of all bathers," he emphasizes. Again and again swimming masters report dramatic scenes in which adults have obviously lost sight of their children - often triggered by distraction by their cell phone.

The DLRG also found that there were 15 drowned people on a weekend alone. This shows that we have to be vigilant. Ute Vogt, the President of the DLRG, raises the alarm and warns of the dangers in pouring waters. In this context, it recommends avoiding swimming in rivers to further minimize the risk.

bathing accidents in focus

disrespect of the rules in swimming pools has increased in recent years. This development is particularly striking in Hesse. The DLRG also estimates that almost every second school child cannot swim safely after primary school, with two out of ten children being seriously affected. This fact not only contributes to the risk of children, but also lets the alarm bells ring for the future.

swimming master faces a real challenge. A rethink must take place, both among the parents and in public. The responsibility for security is not only among the experts - every single parent must also act. "The fun in the water must not do without safety," Harzheim appeals, making a clear sign of everyone who should take the duty of supervision for children in the swimming pool.

In order to ensure water quality and security, it is essential that everyone adheres to the rules and become more attentive. Because one thing is clear: only together we can reduce the risk of bathing accidents.

Additional information and a deeper insight into the problem can be found at Merkur , and ZDF .